Iran Film: Woman's Fate Hangs on 'Blood Money'

The Iranian documentary "An Eye for an Eye," a 2025 Tribeca Festival Special Jury Mention recipient, has been acquired by Jolt, a distributor focused on independent films. Co-directed by Tanaz Eshaghian and Farzad Jafari, the film presents a true story from Tehran.

It centers on Tahereh, who killed her drug-addicted and abusive husband in self-defense after being denied a divorce despite enduring life-threatening injuries. Now, after serving 14 years for the murder, Tahereh's life is on the line. She must pay "blood money" to her husband's family to avoid execution under Iranian law.

This traditional Islamic legal practice allows the victim's family to pardon the convicted killer in exchange for financial compensation. Tahereh's son, Mohsen, is driven to navigate a complex system of grief, patriarchal values, and religious law to save his mother.

Jolt plans a theatrical release starting August 12 in Los Angeles, aiming for Academy Award qualification before a digital release. The distributor will also implement a community engagement campaign targeting audiences connected to the film's themes.